Strip fastener release



NOV. 1, 1938. I R P. 'F- 2,135,364

STRIP FASTENER RELEASE Filed March 21, 1955 5 Shees$heet 1 l-iwv'encof; Robert I Tempision NOV. 1938. R. P TEMPLETON 2,135,364

STRIB FASTENER RELEASE I Filed March 21, 195a *5 SheetsSheet '2 Zefon jnvenzo 7;

Nov. 1, 1938. R. P. TEMPLETON I 3 ,3

STRIP FASTENER RELEASE Filed March 21, 1956 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 Patented Nov. 1, 1938 PATENT; oFFicEj. A? x 7 2,135,364 STRIP'FASTENER RELEASE Robert P. Templeton, Niagara Falls, N. E, as-' .signor to American Niagara Falls, N. ware Sales Book Company, Inc., 1., a corporation of Dela- Application March 21, 1936, sci-n No. 10,139

28 Claims.- (oi. 271-21) This invention relates to improvements in the method and apparatus for separating a plurality of attached strips from each other. While the inventionis adapted for the advantageous and economical separation of attached strips of various sorts, it is herein disclosed for separating long, continuous record strips interleaved in manifolding relation with long, continuous carbon or transfer strips the invention being especially useful in this relation for separating such assembly strips which, are utilized in various forms of record machines, such, for example, "as tabulating machines, billing machines, autographic registers, typewriters, teletypewriters, and the like.

It is a general object of the invention to provide a means and method for separating attached strips in an improved functional manner, whereby the strips may be quickly and easily separated from each other, and without injury to the strips.

Another object of the invention is to provide an improved means for removing the fastening devices for holding a plurality of superposed strips in collated relation with each other, Whether the fastening .devices be of the filamentary type extending through the paper strips such as light wire staples, textile threads and the like, or whether they be in the form of spot'adhesive at spaced intervals along the strip assembly and interposed between adjacent pairs ,of strips.

A further object of the invention is to provide an improved means for releasing the fastening devices between superposed strips of a strip assembly which willrelease the different fastening devices or the fastening between adjacent pairs of strips sequentially or one at a time so as to avoid objectionable resistance to strip move-- means for releasing "superposed attached strips from each other which will function in an im-.

proved manner not only to sequentially release the respective pairs of string at one of the fastening points of the assembly, but will also function to release sequentially the fastenings between adjacent pairs of strips at another fastening point of the assembly so that the fastening between adjacent pairs of strips at two different fastening points will be released one at a time, thus avoiding excessive or objectionable resist- I 5 ance to strip movement.

Another object of the invention is to provide an improved releasing means for releasing the fastening devices between superposed strips of paper or like material, so that the fastening dem vices will be freed from all of the strips but one to which they will cling thereby to be removed out of the field of operation.

Other objects of the invention will be in part pointed out in the following detailed description of an illustrative but preferred embodiment of the invention and will be in part obvious in connection therewith.

The invention accordingly comprises the several steps, and the relation and order of one or more of such steps with respect to each of the others, and the apparatus embodying features of construction, combinations of elements and arrangement of parts which are adapted to effect such steps, all as exemplified in the following detailed disclosure, and the scope of the application of which will be indicated in the claims.

For a more comprehensive understanding of the nature and objects of the invention, refer-' ence is had to the following detailed description 30 of the illustrative embodiment, and to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig.1 is a fragmentary, perspective view of an apparatus embodying the invention;

Fig. 2 is a plan view thereof; 35

Figs. 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7 are partially diagrammat- 10, similar longitudinal vertical sectional views of the apparatus shown in Figs. 1 and 2 and showingthe method of separating the strips from their attachment with each other at successiveo ly different stages; i

Fig. 8 is a transverse vertical section showing the mounting and arrangement of one of the releasing rods; I

Fig. 9 is a fragmentary elevation showing one 45 of the clasps for holding the releasing rods'in position; and a Fig. 10is'a partially diagrammatic, perspective view of asupply of long, continuous interleaved record and transfer stripsattachedtogether at form length intervals. 4

Although the improved mechanism for removing the fastenings between superposed strips may be advantageously used in connection with different types of strips, it is herein disclosed per strips together at for removing the fastening devices securing long continuous interleaved record and transfer paspaced intervals therealong. Also the invention may be utilized \in connection with different forms of attaching devices such as spot adhesive positioned between adjacent pairs of strips at spaced intervals along the assembly or filamentary attachments such as textile threads, light wire staples and the like, piercing or passing through the strips at intervals therealong so as to bind all the strips together in the assembly. For illustrative purposes the filamentary type of fastener is herein disclosed being shown as staples l5 arranged along the manifolding assembly of record and carbon strips at spaced intervals. Thelongitudinal spacing of the fasteners I5 is equal to the form lengths of the record strips S. The fastening staples shown are of light wire, preferably having two staple legs. passing through the strips of the assembly and having their free ends clinched or bent over to secure each staple in operative position to bind all of the strips together in collated aligned position in the assembly. The staple legs opposite to the clinched or bent over terminals thereof are connected by the wire forming the yoke end of the staple. The clinched ends of the staples as shown are preferably positioned at the upper surface of the assembly or at the surface thereof forms for receiving the inscriptions. ord' strips S of the assembly preferably have printed blank forms arranged in a series therealong and transverse weakened severance lines S are arranged at form-length intervals along each record strip whereby the record strips may be conveniently severed into lengths or sheets. This severance of the record sheets is usually effected after the inscriptions have been entered on the record strips. Although for some purposes the interleaved carbon or transfer strips C may be provided with similar transverse weakened severance lines corresponding to the weakenedas herein disclosed the said transfer lines S, strips are unprovided with weakened severance lines corresponding to the lines S of the record strips. The assembly of record and transfer strips constructed as described will ordinarily be I folded into the form of a zigzag supply pad S2 as shown'in Fig. 10'. This supply pad is convenient for use in connection with the various forms of tabulating or manifolding machines.

As shown generally in Figs. 1 and 2, the improved fastener releasing mechanism is supported on an appropriate framework indicated generally at it which may be of any desired construction and arrangement either for being at- ,tached to a tabulating or other .manifolding machine or for resting upon a floor, table or like support. This mechanism may be either attached directly to the tabulating' machine or it can be used separately therefrom. If the fastener releasing mechanism .is attached directly to the tabulating machine, the assembly of attached record and transfer strips will .be led directly from the tabulating machine to the releasing mechanism. record and transfer strips is shown as being led directly from the zigzag pad S2 wherein the inscriptions are assumed to have been previously entered upon the original record strips and transferred to the copy record strips by means of the carbon strips.

Laterally spaced longitudinally extending side frame members II are connected to or from a record assembly over provided with blank The recmounting each of 'for rising and falling pivotal movement whereby it maybe swung into In Fig. I the assembly of part of the framework It, being connected together by appropriate tie rods or cross-frame members, two of which are indicated at I8; This famework provides a guide and support for, the which said assembly may be moved forwardly either manually or by an appropriate feeding mechanism. The rear tie rod 18 provides a guiderod over which the assembly passes, and adjustably attached to said rodin any appropriatemanner is an edge guiding element or disk l9 adapted to engage with one longitudinal edge ofthe assembly to guide it in correct position in its movement.

At the forward part crane frame there is a feeding mechanism adapted .to engage with. the

assembly of strips to feed it forwardly through 1 the fastener releasing mechanism. 7 As shown, this feeding mechanism embodies a lower feed roll 20 'rotatably mounted in the frame and upper pressure feed disks or rollers 2|, adapted to press the assembly against the feed roll 20. The feed roll 20 is carried on a drive shaft 22 while the arecarried by a shaft 23, these thereon. The feed shafts may be driven by any appropriate source of power, such, for example, as a small electric motor M connected to the driving gear 25, The motordriven gear 25 may be rotatably mounted in any desired manner upon the frame as by a stub shaft or the like and a smaller toothed gear attached to the gear 25 meshes with a similar gear attached to the roller or drive shaft 22.

The disk shaft carrying the pressure disks 2| is connected to the free ends of the swinging supporting arms 26 connected for swinging movement to the adjacent tie rod l8 and stressed springs 21 are connected to these swinging arms normally urging themtogether with the pressure disks in a direction to causesaid disks to yieldingly engage with the upper surface of the assembly to press and grip the latter against the feed roll 20. It will therefore be seen that op-' eration of this feedingmechanism will draw the assembly forward over the support and guide and past the fastening releasing mechanism;

Connected to one of the longitudinal side frame.

members I! is a supporting plate 28, and a similar supporting plate 29 is connected to the opposite longitudinal frame member. Both of these supporting plates are provided with slots 30 opening through the upper edges thereof for receiving and supporting the fastener releasing members which are herein shown in this illustrative embodiment of the invention as metallic bars or rods 3| extending transversely of the strip guide and support. Each of these releasing rods is flattened at one end 32 and provided with an opening for receiving a supporting pin 33 positioned in a longitudinal bore or passageway in the supporting plate 28. By means of this the releasing bars is supported its normal operative position as shown in Fig. 2, or raised and swung outwardly from this position. The opposite or free swinging ends of thereleasing rods are received in the slots 30 of the supporting plate 29 and supported therein in their normal operative position. Spring catches or latches 34, as shown in Fig. 9, may be provided for receiving the ends of- 'the rods 3| so as'to retain .them in their normal operative position.

While the releasing rods Ql may arranged fastening devices as later more fully described, a very effective and functionally advantageous manner of mounting these rods is that as herein disclosed. In this preferred embodiment of the invention, the releasing rods are arranged in"a longitudinal series along the assembly guide and support and are spaced longitudinally short distances from each other. As shown, these rods preferably lie in the same horizontal plane. Also the rods may, as shown, be parallel to each other, but they are all inclined to the path of longitudinal movement of the assembly. The

angularity of inclination of the releasing rods may vary somewhat in practice, but they are found to operate most efficiently and satisfactorily when the inclination is in the vicinity of 4 to the path of strip movement as shown. As shown, the releasing bars 3| are preferably circular in crosssection but other cross sectional shapes may be utilized.

Although a plate corresponding to the plate 23 may be positioned at either side of the strip guide,v ordinarily it is positioned adjacent to the rearward ends of the releasing bars 3|, or those ends which are carried orincline'drearwardly toward the rear end of the machine, or to the right in Figs. 1 and 2. The plate .23 is made smooth at its inner surface ,to form an edge guide and abutment--for the assembly and to prevent it from becoming displaced from its normal position during the feeding and releasing operation. When positioned as shown, the tractor feed device tends to cause the assembly to contact with the guide 29 even though the releasing oi the staples against the inclined rods II has some tendency to move the assembly laterally away from the guide 29.

It will be noted that as shown in the drawings it is desirable that the longitudinal spacing of the releasing rods ll be considerably less than the longitudinal spacing of the fastening devices or staples i5. Flu'thermore, it is desirable that the spacing of the releasing rods be an aliquant part of the spacing of the fastening-devices. The

- reason for this spacingrelationship is explained more fully below in referring to the operation of the improved mechanism.

Forwardly of the strip feeding mechanism there is a guideway over which the assembly passes upon emerging, from the feed roll. This guideway 3! as shown is preferably inclined downwardiy and forwardly and is provided at intervals therealong with transverse slits or openings for individually receiving the strips of the as-v semblyr Ordinarily there will be a receiving opening 36 for each of the record and transfer strips of theassembly; The first receiving opening 38', that is, the one nearest the feeding mechanism, leads to a receiving compartment 31 beneath the guide 35 for receiving the lowermost strip of the assembly which in thas case will be a record strip. The next successive receiving opening 33 leads to a similar receiving compart; meat 38 which, as shown, receives the next successive strip which is one of the carbon-strips C. The otherassembly strips will similarly be received in compartments provided therefor similar to the compartments 3! and 33.

when the strips are arranged in position in the machine, the lowermost record strip will be entered into the first transverse receiving opening 30, the next successive strip, namely the carbon strip C will be entered into the next successive moved, the strips will be separated from each.

other and will be disposedin different parts in the respective receiving compartments. When the record and carbon strips have been transversely creased as shown, and folded into the zigzag supply pack S2, there will be a tendency, upon entering the respective receiving compartments 31, 38, etc., to again fold on these transverse fold lines so, as. to assume zigzag folded condition as indicated by the part or pack 39 in Fig.. 1.

An illustrative embodiment of the fastener releasing mechanism having been described in detall, the operation thereof will be clearly understood and may be summarized as follows:

The attached assembly of "record and transfer strips is led from the tabulatlng or other manifolding machine or from the pad S2 over the guide rodl3. Thefirst or rearward releasing rod If is then placed between the top record strip and the next'ad'acent strip of the assembly which is one of the carbon strips C. The second understood that there is one of the releasingrods positioned between each adjacent pair of assembly strips.

Accordingly, a sufficient number of re-- leasing rods will be providedfor the accommodation of the assembly having the largest number of strips intended to be used. The assembly is then placed in the feeding mechanism and the forward or freed ends of the strips positioned in the receiving openings or slots 33 as above described.

Then upon starting of the feeding mechanism, the assembly will be forwardly fed and the fasteners I! will be released so as to free the strips from each other in the following manner. As the first fastener approaches the first or rearward releasing rod 3| the strips of the upper pair will be separated or moved away from each other a short distance, which is suflicient to cause the fastener-to be pulled through the upr ermost strip, the strip material being severed slightly to permit the fastener to be released from engagement with this strip. In this connection it will be noted that this severance or pulling of the fastener from the record strips will befacilitated by virtue of the fact that the fasteners are positioned directly upon the weakened severance lines 8'. After the severance of the connectiombetween the two uppermost strips as described,' the next successive pair of stripswill be freed om each other when the fastener l5 comes into o'perative relation with the second releasing bar 3| of the series, this detachment being effected in a manner similar'to that described for the upper or first pair of strips. However, it will be noted, as above mentioned, that the carbon strips are preferably unprovided with weakened severance lines; but this condition does not interfere with the fastener tearing through the carbon strip so as to bereleased therefrom as it comesinto position adjacent to the releasing rod 3|. This is for the reason that the staple or fasteneris attached in all of the lower strips, whereby it has a firmer. attachment to the lower strips than to the single carbon strip, and severance or release. of the fastener accordingly occurs at the carbon strip.

This selective release is furthermore promoted by virtue of the fact that the clinched or bent overends of the staple-legs are more readily severed from or pulled through the strips than is the yokeend of the staple, Similarly the successive pairs of strips are released from each other one at a time as-the assembly advances along the series .of releasing rods. In other words, the release of the fastening means between the different 'kept very low at all the several strips are otherwise marring the strips is almost wholly avoided. Also, by this means, the attaching devices are released only from a single strip at any particular instant, so that the effort required for release is very small. Because of these facts,

tearing of the strips or warping or fraying or otherwise marring thereof is almost wholly avoided and the effort required to feed the strips forwardly is very'small, whereby a feeding mechanism of a simple nature is satisfactory. It will be understood that the showing of Figs. 3, 4, 5, 6

and 7, depicting the manner of the sequential release of the fastening devices above described, is quite largely diagrammatic, being made so for the purpose of facilitating and clarifying the disclosure. Normally, the record and transfer strips lie close to each other in face to face relationship,

and are bound firmly in this position by the fastening devices I5. Alsothe strips will be drawn vary considerably from over the surfaces of the releasing bars and their relative position with reference to these bars will time to time, dependent upon various factors including the position of the fastening devices with reference to the individual releasing bars. However, when vice between two adjacent strips approaches a releasing bar, these strips will be spread apart due to the action of the bar, thus forcingthe fastener through one of the strips by tearing the same or parting the fibres thereof.

It is of particular advantage that the fastening bars lease of the fastening devices is more readily effected 'under this arrangement. One reason 7 for this is that'the release is more gradual; an-

other reason, where staples are utilized, is that the release of the two legs of each staple is effected sequentially, or in other words, each leg' is separately released. This is due to the" fact that the two staple legs are spaced transversely of the assembly, and therefore, one legapproaches the inclined forward'surface of the releasing bar so as to be released thereby slightly in advance of the other leg. This sequential release of the twostaple legs .further contributesto theeven and relatively small resistance to the feedingmovement of the assembly.

As above mentioned, the transfer strips C are frequently unprovided with .weakened transverse severance lines and the fastening staples pass through these strips at unweakened por-' tions thereof. Therefore, referring particular- ,1y to Figs 4 and 7, when the fastener between the lowermost pair ofiadiacent strips approaches the releasing bar 3|, as shown in Fig. 7,,the fastener will be released from the lower record strip because of the fact that it is positioned directly upon the weakened times and stresses set up in minimized and tearing or a fastening de- 3| be inclined as described because -reline'of 'that strip. The at-- tachm'ent of the fastener to'the carbon strip being slightly stronger than its attachment to the record strip, said fastener will finally remain attached to and will cling tothe lowerdiscarded after use, especially in cases where the carbon strip is of the one time type.

,In cases where there are a large number of record and transfer strips in the assembly and under certain conditions of fastener spacing, it will be noticed two successive fastenings will fall at the same time within the field of operation of the releasing rods 3|. This will occur, for example, when thelongitudinal spacing of the fasteners l vis less than the longitudinal dis-" tance between the front and rear releasing bars 3|.- Under these conditions, fastener release of the two successive fasteners will be progressing substantially at the same time. However, the successive or sequential release of the fastenings between the pairs of adjacent strips at both successive fastening devices will be maintained because as above pointed out the spacing of the releasing bars 31 is an aliquant part of the specing of the fastening devices l5. Therefore, this arrangement further contributes to maintaining the resistance to strip movement substantially equal and of low degree atall times. I

Since certain changes in carrying out the above process and in the construction set forth, which embody the invention, may be made without departing from its scope, it is intended that all matter contained in the above descrip-- tion or shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense. i Y

Having described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters'Pate'nt is:

1. In a device of the character described, in combination, means for moving a strip assembly having a plurality of strip fastenings spaced therealong and fastening the assembly strips. to-

gether, releasing means operable by asse bly movement for releasing 'said fastenings to free the strips from each other, and means whereby said releasingmeans functions to release sequentially the fastenings between the different pairs of adjacent strips.

2. In a device of the character described, in combination, means for moving a strip assembly having a plurality of strip fastenlngs spaced therealong and fastening the assembly strips together, releasing means operable .by assembly movement for releasing said fastenings to free the strips-from each other, and means whereby said releasing means functions to release sequentially the fastenings between the diflerent pairs of adjacent strips at two successive spaced fastenings. I

3. In -a device of the character described,'in combination, means for moving a strip assembly vhavinga plurality of: strip fastenings spaced therealong and fastening the assembly strips together, releasing means operable by assembly movement for releasing said fastenings to free the strips from each other, and means whereby said 'releasing means releases said fastenings from one or more of the strips but leaves them finally clinging -to another of the strips.

4. In a device of the character described, in combination, a support upon which a strip assembly having a seriesof strip fastenings longitudinally spaced therealong and fastening the strip fastenings and operable by strip movement for releasing one after another the-transversely located parts of said fastenings so as to free the strips from each other.

5. In a device of the character described, in combination, a support upon which a strip assembly of a multiplicity oi. relative superposed strips is supported and guided for movement, said assembly having fastenings longitudinally spaced at intervals therealong, attaching said multiplicity of strips together, and a plurality of releasing devices each of which is respectively positioned between different adjacent superposed strips and operable by strip movement for acting on said fastenings so as.to release sequen'tially the attachment between the respective pairs of adjacent strips.

6. In a device of the character described, in combination, a support upon which a strip assembly of a multiplicity of relatively superposed strips is supported and guided for movement,

said assembly having fastenings longitudinally spaced at -intervals therealong attaching said multiplicity of strips together, and releasing means including a plurality of releasing rods ex-- tending transversely oi. the assembly path and positioned respectively between difl'erent adjacent assembly strips for acting on said fastenings to release the same.

7. In a device of the character described, in combination,.a support upon which a strip assembly of a multiplicity of relatively superposed strips having longitudinallyspaced attachments with each other is supported and guided for movement, and releasing means including a plurality of releasing rods extending transversely of the assembly path in longitudinally spaced relation with each other, and positioned respectively between adjacent assembly strips for acting individually on said attachments to release the same.

g 8. In a device of the character described, in combination, a s pport upon which a strip assembly of a mulgplicity of relatively superposed strips having a tachment with each other is supported and guided for movement, and releasing means including a plurality of releasing rods extending transversely of the-assembly path in inclined relation to the path of strip movement and positioned respectively between diflerent ad= jacent assembly strips for acting on the-attachment between the strips to release the same.

9. In a device 01' the character described, in

combination, a support upon which a strip assembly of a multiplicity of relatively superposed strips is supported and guided for movement, said assembly having fastenings longitudinally spaced at intervals therealong attaching said multiplicity of strips together, and releasing means including a plurality of releasing rods extending transversely of the assembly path in longitudinally spaced relation with each other and being inclined to the path of strip movement and positioned respectively between adjacent assembly strips for acting on said fastenings to release the same.

10. In a device of the character described, in

combination, a support upon which a strip assembly of a multiplicity of relatively superposed strips is supported and guided for movement. said assembly having fastenings longitudinally spaced atintervals therealong attaching said multiplicity of strips together, and releasing means including a plurality of releasing rods extending transversely of the assembly path in longitudinally spaced relation with each other and positioned respectively between adjacent assembly strips for acting on said fastenings to release the same, the longitudinal spacing of said releasing rods being less than the longitudinal spacing of the assembly fastenings.

'11. In a device of the character combination, a support upon which a strip assembly of a multiplicity of relatively suplarposed strips is supported and guided for movement, said assembly having fastenings longitudinally spaced at intervals therealong attaching said multiplicity described, in

of strips together, and releasing means including a plurality oi releasing rods extending transversely of the assembly path in inclined relation .to the path of strip movement and positioned respectively between adjacent assembly strips for acting on said fastenings to release the same, and a guide and abutment for the longitudinal assembly edge at the trailing end portions of the incllned releasing rods. i

12. In a device of the character described,'in combination, a support upon which a strip assembly of a multiplicity of relatively superposed strips is supported and guided for movement, said assembly having fastenings longitudinally spaced at intervals therealong attaching said multiplicity of strips together, and releasing means including 'a plurality of releasing rods extending transversely of the assembly path in "longitudinal spaced relation with each other and being inclined to the path of strip'movement and positioned respectively between adjacent assembly strips for acting on said fastenings to release the same, and a guide and abutment for the longitudinal assembly edge at the trailing end portions of the inclined releasing rods.

13. In a device of the character described, in

combination, a'support uponwhich a strip assembly of a multiplicity of relatively superposed strips is supported and guided for movement, said assembly having fastenings longitudinally spaced at intervals therealong attaching said multiplicity '6f strips together, and releasing means including a plurality of releasing rods extending transversely of the assembly path, in longitudinally spaced relation with each other, and positioned respectively between adiacent .asso bly strips for acting on said fastenings to r lease the same, and the longitudinalspacing of said releasing rods being an aliquant part of the fastening spacing.

- 14. In a device of the character described, in combination, a support for superposed strips attached together at intervals therealong, and means for-sequentially releasing the strip attachments between different adjacent'strips at difl'erent respective attachment intervals.

15. In a device oi the character described, in combination, a support for superposed strips having fastening devices extending therethrough at spaced intervals, said strips being movable along said support, and a releasing rod extending transversely between the strips and inclined to the path of strip movement and functioning to spread the strips apart so as to act initially at 7 devices so as to release attachment to release thesame,

one lateral extremity of each'of the fastening the latter. 7

16. In a device of the,character described, in combination, a support upon which a strip assembly of a multiplicity of relatively superposed strips having attachment with each other, is supported and guided for movement, releasing means including a plurality of releasing rods ex- I tending transversely of the assemblypath in longitudinally spaced relation with each other and mounted so as mine positioned respectively between dliferent adjacent assembly stripsso as to act separately on difIerent parts of the strip and means for maintaining said releasing rods stationary during the releasing operation.

17. In a device of the character described, in combination, a support on which a strip assembly of a plurality of relatively superposed strips hav-,

ing attachment with each other, is supported and guided, and releasing means including a releasing-rod extending transversely of the assembly "and positioned in inclined relation to the longi strip and between adjacent assembly strips so as to act on the strip attachtudinal axis of the ment first at one lateral extremity thereof to release the same upon relative movement between I .the strip assembly and the releasing rod.

of a plurality 18. In a device of the character described, in combination, a support on which a strip assembly ing attachment with each other is supported and guided for movement, and releasing means including a releasing rod extending transversely of the assembly path and positioned in inclined relation to the path of strip movement and between adjacent assembly strips for acting on the strip attachment first atone lateral extremity thereof to release the same; and means for maintaining said releasing rod stationary during the.

releasing operation.

19.'In a device of the character described, in

' combination, a support, means for moving. relatively to the support an assembly of three ormore strips having attachment with each other, and means for releasing the attachment between diflerent adjacent strips sequentially so as to release the strips in series from the assembly.

20. In a device of the character described, in combination, a support, means for moving relatively-to the support an assembly ofthree or more strips having attachment with each other,

-' and means including a plurality of longitudinally spaced releasers arranged for interposition between adjacent "strips at different longitudinal parts thereof for releasing the attachment be- I tween different adjacent strips sequentially so as more strips having attachment spaced releasers arranged for interposition beto release the strips in series from the assembly.

the strips from each other. 'taching rods being inclined 22. In a device ofthe character described, in e combination, a support, means for moving rela-' tively to the support an assembly of three or" more strips'ha'ving' attachment with each other,

and means including a plurality of longitudinally spaced releasers inclined to the path of strp movement and .arranged for interposition -be-' tween adjacent strips for releasing the attachment between difierent adjacent strips sequentially, so asto release the strips in series from the assembly.

' 23. In a device of the character described, in combination, a plurality of longitudinally spaced detaching rods extending transversely of the path of movement of a group of attached strips,

means for swingably mounting said rods so as to facilitate positioning them in strip detaching position with relation to the strips, means for holding the rods in operative position, and means for feeding the strip across the, rods so as to detach said transverse de-f movement so as-to release sequentially transversely spacedstrip attachments.

24. In a device of the character described, in combination, a plurality'of longitudinally spaced strip detaching rods extendingtransversely of the path'of movement of a group of strips having attachment with each other at spaced intervals therealong, the spacing of the detaching rods beof relatively superposed strips hav-,

ing an aliquant part of the longitudinal spacing of the strip attachments, and means for movably mounting said rods to facilitate positioning them in strip detaching position between the strips.

25. In a device for separating three or more stripshaving attachment. with each other at spaced points therealong, in combination, means for releasing the attachment at one of said points between two strips of an adjacent pair, and means operating in sequence with the first mentioned releasing means for releasing at the same point the attachment between the strips of a different adjacent pair. I

26. A method of releasing superposed strips having attachmentwith each other at spaced intervals, including, releasing the attachment at one interval between two adjacent strips, and

subsequently releasing the attachment at the same interval between one of said two adjacent v strips and a third strip.

27. A method of releasing superposed strips having attachment with each other at spaced intervals, including, sequentially releasing the attachments between two adjacent strips at the 'difierent intervals, and sequentially releasing the attachments between one of said two strips and a third strip at the different intervals respectively in sequerRe with the first mentioned releasing operation.

28. A method having attachment with each other at spaced intervals, including, sequentially releasing one at a time the attachments between two adjacent strips at the different intervals, and sequentially releasing one at a time the attachments between one of said two strips and a'third strip at the different intervals respectively in sequence with the first mentioned releasing operation.

Bonnier P. rnmnmon.

of releasing superposed stripsto the path of strip 

